__twocolumncontent.jpg)
Former ABC Marketing VP Stu Brower died Thursday, May 12 at the age of 76.
Brower spent more than two decades working in the field of entertainment marketing. While at ABC, he launched many TV series as well as such campaigns as “Love in the Afternoon,” “Still the One,” “Come on Along,” “Now is the Time” and “You and Me and ABC.” Brower retired from ABC in 2018.
Brower was born on September 29, 1945 in Long Beach, Calif., to parents Morris and Faye Brower. He attended Milikan High School, was a member of the National Honor Society and was selected to the All-Southern California Band as a clarinetist.
He attended the University of Southern California on a full scholarship. While there, he got his first taste of the entertainment industry when he worked as station director of on-campus radio station KUSC. He also was inducted into the Alpha Epsilon Rho and Phil Beta Kappa honor societies.
After graduating, Brower enlisted in the California Air National Guard, 146th Airlift Wing. He continued his journey into entertainment when he worked as a page for CBS’ The Ed Sullivan Show. He then went to Michigan State University where he received his masters degree in television and radio.
Prior to joining ABC, he worked as a promo producer at Sullivan and Marks before creating his own company, Beck, Brower and Davidson. He joined ABC in 1977.
Throughout his 50-plus year career, he received many Promax awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also was occasionally seen on stage at the annual Promax conference, hosting the annual “State of the Art” session with Geoff Calnan.
After he retired, he hosted a podcast called Stupified with Charlie Bowyer, executive creative director at ABC Marketing. The show’s last episode, #145, was published on March 22.
Brower loved theater and had season tickets to Los Angeles’ Ahmanson and Taper theaters. He also enjoyed vacationing in Maine, watching baseball and dabbling in real estate, according to friends. He also was well known for enjoying “luncheon” with friends as well as special meals at fancy restaurants.
“How does one even begin to measure the joy and laughter someone’s brought to your life? With Stu Brower, it’s simply incalculable,” wrote writer and creative director Andy Munsey on Brower’s Facebook page. “I’ll never see another play or musical I love and not immediately think of telling him or getting his take on it. Any great meal will bring the thought, ‘we’ve got to bring him here—but I’m sure he already knows all about this place.’ Every lunch (insert belly pats and hand rubbing here) will bring a pang of something missing.”
“The world lost its laugh track this week,” wrote Courtney Douglas, who worked for Brower at ABC. “If you’re lucky enough, your paths will cross with someone so special, they will alter and change your life in big ways. They will see things in you you never thought possible and give you the courage to step outside your comfort zone, where the real magic happens. Stu Brower was that person for me, as he was for so many others.”
Funeral services for Brower will be held Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m. PT at Tanach Chapel at Mt. Sinai Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn. A webcast link is available for those who would like to attend virtually; the password is brower1945. At one point, Brower was the recipient of a donated kidney and as a result, donations may be made in his name to Donate Life America and PDK Cure.
Tags: abc obituary stu brower